Towards an ecological modelling approach for assessing ionizing radiation impact on wildlife populations.

Vives I Batlle, J; Biermans, G; Copplestone, D; Kryshev, A; Melintescu, A; Mothersill, C; Sazykina, T; Seymour, C; Smith, K; Wood, M

Abstract

The emphasis of the international system of radiological protection of the environment is to protect populations of flora and fauna. Throughout the MODARIA programmes, the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has facilitated knowledge sharing, data gathering and model development on the effect of radiation on wildlife. We present a summary of the achievements of MODARIA I and II on wildlife dose effect modelling, extending to a new sensitivity analysis and model development to incorporate other stressors. We reviewed evidence on historical doses and transgenerational effects on wildlife from radioactively contaminated areas. We also evaluated chemical population modelling approaches, discussing similarities and differences between chemical and radiological impact assessment in wildlife. We developed population modelling methodologies by sourcing life history and radiosensitivity data and evaluating the available models, leading to the formulation of an ecosystem-based mathematical approach. This resulted in an ecologically relevant conceptual population model, which we used to produce advice on the evaluation of risk criteria used in the radiological protection of the environment and a proposed modelling extension for chemicals. This work seeks to inform stakeholder dialogue on factors influencing wildlife population responses to radiation, including discussions on the ecological relevance of current environmental protection criteria. The area of assessment of radiation effects in wildlife is still developing with underlying data and models continuing to be improved. IAEA's ongoing support to facilitate the sharing of new knowledge, models and approaches to Member States is highlighted, and we give suggestions for future developments in this regard. [Abstract copyright: © 2022 Society for Radiological Protection. Published on behalf of SRP by IOP Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.]

Citation

Vives I Batlle, J., Biermans, G., Copplestone, D., Kryshev, A., Melintescu, A., Mothersill, C., …Wood, M. (2022). Towards an ecological modelling approach for assessing ionizing radiation impact on wildlife populations. Journal of Radiological Protection, 42(2), 020507. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6498/ac5dd0

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 15, 2022
• Publication Date: Apr 25, 2022
• Deposit Date: May 16, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 25, 2023
• Journal: Journal of radiological protection : official journal of the Society for Radiological Protection
• Print ISSN: 0952-4746
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Volume: 42
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 020507
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6498/ac5dd0
• Keywords: population modelling, Ecosystem, Models, Theoretical, Animals, Wild, ecological approach, Radiation, Ionizing, Radiation Protection, non-human biota, radiation effects, Animals
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6498/ac5dd0
• Additional Information: Additional Information : ‘This is the version of the article before peer review or editing, as submitted by an author to Journal of radiological protection : official journal of the Society for Radiological Protection. IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The Version of Record is available online at https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6498/ac5dd0’